William Wrigley Jr.

William Wrigley Jr. lived from 1861 to 1932. Although William Wrigley Jr. is best known as the founder of the William Wrigley Jr. Company, largest manufacturer of wrigleys gum in the world, he also played an instrumental role in the history of Santa Catalina Island.

William Wrigley Jr. truly loved Santa Catalina Island, and with undying enthusiasm and energy, William Wrigley Jr. brought numerous improvements to Santa Catalina Island such as:

• public utilities,
• new steamships,
• a hotel,
• the Casino building, and
• extensive planting of trees, shrubs and flowers.

William Wrigley Jr. 's greatest legacy was his remarkable vision and plan for the future of Santa Catalina Island.  William Wrigley Jr. wanted Santa Catalina Island to remain protected for all generations to enjoy. The Wrigley Memorial at the Santa Catalina Island Botanical Garden honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr.

The Wrigley Memorial is the centerpiece of the Santa Catalina Island Botanical Garden. It was built in 1933-34 with the goal of using as much Santa Catalina Island material as possible. Quarried Santa Catalina Island stones can be seen in the reinforced concrete construction.